METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE NETWORK SELECTION BY THE HOME OPERATOR OF DUAL USER EQUIPMENT

- NEC CORPORATION

The invention concerns a method for controlling the network selection by the home operator of dual user equipment (6) having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: —defining a configuration parameter HOC for indicating whether the home operator of the UE (6) is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator, —storing said configuration parameter HOC in the UE (6), and at initial network selection, —selecting a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The invention pertains to telecommunication field and concerns a method for controlling the network selection by the home operator of dual user equipment (UE) having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability.

The invention concerns also a User Equipment and a system adapted for implementing said method.

STATE OF PRIOR ART

Users Equipments are of tree types schematically illustrated by FIG. 1:

a—mobile UEs 3 with eventually dual 3GPP-WLAN capabilities,

b—Fixed-wireless UEs 4 with only fixed-wireless network access capability, and

c—Dual mobile/fixed-wireless UEs 6 having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability.

The mobile UEs 3 of the first type are designed for mobile operator subscribers and only have mobile network access capability to connect to a mobile Core Network 10 through base station 12 implementing 3GPP RAT (Radio Access Technology, or through an access point 14 implementing a Non-3GPP RAT.

For this type of mobile UEs 3, the selection of a network is defined by 3GPP:

    • in “3GPP CT1 TS 23.122-v.7a0: Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) functions related to Mobile Station (MS) in idle mode” and “3GPP SA1 TS 22.278-v.830: Service requirements for the Evolved Packet System (EPS)” when the PLMN (for Public Land Mobile Network) is accessed via 2G/3G/LTE access, or,
    • in “3GPP CT1 TS 23.234-v.750: 3GPP system to Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interworking; System description” and “3GPP SA1 TS 22.278-v.830: Service requirements for the Evolved Packet System (EPS)” when the PLMN is accessed via non-3GPP access.

In the second case, there is an interworking infrastructure (pre-SAE I-WLAN or SAE Interworking) between the WLAN access network and the mobile operator Core Network.

As defined by the above selection procedure, the UEs 3 preferably selects the Home Mobile Operator (HPLMN) as the highest priority PLMN at initial network selection or when they leave the area covered by the home operator (HPLMN) for Home Public Land Mobile Network), and if the HPLMN (for Home Public Land Mobile Network) is not available, the UEs 3 preferably selects a roaming partner, using operator or user controlled preferred PLMN lists stored on (U) SIM. Additionally to the PLMN selection, the UEs 3 selects the Radio Access technology providing access to the PLMN, which can be 3GPP Radio Access Technology ((GSM/UMTS/LTE)) or non-3GPP Radio Access Technology (3GPP2, WLAN: WiFi, WiMax . . . ).

The Fixed-Wireless UEs 4 of the second type have wireless radio capabilities (e.g. WiFi) and connect to a fixed Core network 20 through a wireless access point 22 implementing a Non-3GPP RAT, e.g. Home network, WiFi Hot Spot, Company network . . . . Examples of such devices are laptops with WiFi Cards, Wireless Phones at home.

Such UEs only have fixed-wireless networks access capability, i.e. they always select fixed-wireless networks at initial network selection.

The dual mobile/Fixed-wireless devices 6 of the third type have both mobile network access and fixed-wireless network access capability, i.e. they may connect to the mobile network Core 14 and to the fixed wireless-networks core 20, with eventually a simultaneous connection to the mobile network and to the fixed-wireless network. The HPLMN as well as the roaming partners may be a PLMN or a fixed wireless network. There can be no interworking infrastructure between mobile and fixed-wireless networks at the Access or Core Network level.

Such dual mobile/fixed-wireless UEs appear in new uses cases investigated by 3GPP Release 8 studies (3GPP SA1 TR 22.812-v.100: Study into Network Selection Requirements for non-3GPP Access, and 3GPP SA1 TR 22.937v.100: Requirements for service continuity between mobile and WLAN networks) and TISPAN Re 12 study ETSI TR 181 011/DTR/TISPAN-01038-NGN-R2: Fixed-Mobile Convergence; Requirements Analysis (Release 2)

Two categories of UEs 6 can be identified:

c1—dual mobile/fixed-wireless UEs for mobile operator's subscriber. In this case, the home operator owns a mobile network, i.e. the Home PLMN (HPLMN) as currently defined in 3GPP. The HPLMN has commercial agreements with other mobile networks and other fixed-wireless networks.

c2: dual mobile/fixed-wireless UEs for fixed-wireless operator's subscriber. In this case, the home operator owns a fixed network that can be accessed by fixed Access-Points (H-WSID(s)). The fixed-wireless home operator has commercial agreements with other mobile networks and other fixed-wireless networks.

As defined by 3GPP requirements in 3GPP SA1 TR 22.812-v.100: Study into Network Selection Requirements for non-3GPP Access, such UEs will initiate a PLMN selection when the mobile network access mechanism is used, and a similar but separate fixed-wireless network selection when the fixed-wireless network access is used.

Currently, 3GPP has not yet defined detailed network selection mechanisms.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate a foreseen network selection behaviour for the dual mode UEs 6.

In this 3GPP proposal, it is expected that these dual mode UEs will have a different network selection behavior depending on whether the home operator is a mobile network or a fixed-wireless network.

As shown by FIG. 2A, dual mobile/fixed-wireless UEs 6 for mobile operator subscriber are expected to automatically select the Home Mobile network (HPLMN) step 30 as the default network at initial network selection. They additionally may also roam to V-PLMNs or fixed-wireless partners. And when the default network (HPLMN) is unavailable, these UEs will continue the PLMN selection procedure, thereby preferably selecting mobile networks at step 32 rather than fixed-wireless networks.

As shown by FIG. 2B, at step 34, dual mobile/fixed-wireless UEs for fixed-wireless operator subscriber are expected to automatically select the Home operator fixed-wireless network (identified by H-WSID access point) as the default network at initial network selection. They additionally may also roam to fixed-wireless partners or mobile (PLMN) partners. When the default network (H-WSID) is unavailable, these UEs are expected to preferably select, at step 34, an alternative fixed-wireless network if available rather than a PLMN.

Currently 3GPP has not specified any method for such devices with both mobile and fixed-wireless networks access capabilities to perform network selection between mobile operators and fixed-wireless operators.

Currently 3GPP has not specified any method to allow mobile phone manufacturers to design a generic dual mobile/fixed-wireless terminal able to adapt to both mobile operator requirements and fixed-wireless operator requirements.

An object of the invention is to overcome the above described drawbacks.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is achieved by a new network selection method for UEs with both mobile networks and fixed-wireless networks access capabilities, using configuration parameters under the control of the home operator used for configuring the network selection behavior of said UE according to the home operator class HOC, i.e. mobile or fixed-wireless home operator. This object is specifically achieved by a method comprising the following steps:

defining a configuration parameter HOC for indicating whether the home operator of the UE is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator,

    • storing said configuration parameter HOC in the UE, and at initial network selection,
    • selecting a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value.

The method according to the invention further comprises:

    • storing fixed-wireless network selection information applicable for both mobile home operator and fixed-wireless home operator in the UE,
    • defining fixed-wireless network selection information applicable for fixed-wireless home operator, and storing said fixed-wireless network selection information in the UE
    • setting a preferred default network access mechanism in the UE according to the value of the configuration parameter HOC.
    • setting a preferred default network in the UE according to the value of the configuration parameter HOC.

The default network access mechanism is set to mobile networks if the configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter or to fixed-wireless networks if the configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

The preferred default network is set to the HPLMN if the configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter or to a list of H-WSID(s) if the configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

Preferably, the network selection information comprises:

    • a user preferred PLMNs list,
    • an operator preferred PLMNs list,
    • a user preferred WSIDs list for identifying a list of user preferred fixed-wireless access points,
    • an operator preferred WSIDs list for identifying a list of preferred access points owned by fixed-operator roaming partners of the home operator

And the fixed-wireless network selection information comprises:

    • a home operator access points list (H-WSIDs), identifying the list of access points owned by the fixed-wireless home operator,
    • a preferred roaming access indicator, indicating whether the UE should prioritize the mobile network access or the fixed-wireless network access at alternative network selection, i.e. after a default network selection where no network can be selected,
    • a preferred mobile network indicator indicating whether the fixed-wireless network operator has a preferred mobile network operator or not. The Method according to the invention further comprises the following steps:

retrieving the configuration parameter HOC value and network selection information applicable for both mobile and fixed-wireless home operators including the user and operator preferred PLMNs lists and the user and operator preferred WSID(s) lists, and retrieving the fixed-wireless network selection information if the HOC value indicates a fixed-wireless home operator, and,

at initial network selection,

    • performing a PLMN selection if the network configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter

or

    • performing a fixed-wireless network selection, if the network configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

With this procedure, the UE may select either the HPLMN if a PLMN selection is performed or the home operator Access Points H-WSID(s) if a fixed-wireless network selection is performed.

Preferably, the access points owned by the fixed-wireless home operator are stored in a separate list (H-WSID(s)) than the access points owned by other fixed-wireless networks, user/operator preferred WSIDs lists, enabling thereby the selection of home operator's Access Points may be initiated separately from the selection of fixed-wireless roaming partners's Access Points.

Furthermore, the configuration parameter HOC and the fixed-wireless network selection information (H-WSID(s), preferred roaming access mechanism, preferred mobile network indicator) is set by the home operator and can be factory configured or dynamically provisioned, whether in the USIM (Universal Subscriber Identification Module) of said UE as a preferred embodiment, or in a NVM (Non Volatile Memory).

Said configuration parameter HOC and fixed-wireless network selection information are updatable by the home operator after the UE power-on using over the air mechanism such as OMA DM, SMS, or USSD.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, if no network can be selected using the initial network selection, the UE proceeds with an alternative network selection as follows:

    • if said initial network selection is a PLMN selection, a fixed-wireless network selection is performed during which the UE only selects user or operator preferred access points WSID(s),
    • if said initial network selection is a fixed-wireless network selection:

a PLMN selection is performed if the default network access mechanism is set to fixed wireless networks and if the preferred roaming access mechanism is set to a mobile network access mechanism. If said PLMN selection fails, a fixed-wireless network selection is performed during which the UE only selects user or operator preferred access points WSID(s),

a fixed-wireless network selection is performed if the default network access mechanism is set to “fixed wireless networks” and the preferred roaming access mechanism is “fixed-wireless networks”. If said fixed-wireless network selection fails, a PLMN selection is preformed during which the UE only selects user or operator preferred access points WSID(s).

If an alternative network selection for fixed-wireless network home operator is chosen, said alternative network selection is consisting of:

a legacy PLMN selection with HPLMN as highest priority PLMN when the preferred mobile network indicator information indicates that the fixed-wireless home operator has a commercial agreement with said HPLMN as a preferred mobile network operator

or

a PLMN selection procedure without the HPLMN when the preferred mobile network indicator information indicates that the fixed-wireless home operator has direct commercial agreements with a plurality of mobile networks.

The User Equipment (UE) according to the invention comprises:

    • means for defining a configuration parameter HOC for indicating whether the home operator of the UE is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator,
    • means for storing said configuration parameter HOC, and,
    • means for selecting a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value at initial network selection.
    • means for defining network selection information,
    • means for storing said network selection information,
    • means for defining fixed-wireless network selection information,
    • means for storing said fixed-wireless network selection information,

Preferably, said means for storing the network selection comprise:

    • a user preferred PLMNs list,
    • an operator preferred PLMNs list,
    • a user preferred WSIDs list,
    • an operator preferred WSIDs list.

Preferably, said means for storing the fixed-wireless network selection comprise:

    • a home operator access points list (H-WSIDs),
    • a preferred roaming access mechanism,
    • a preferred mobile network indicator.

The User Equipment according to the invention further comprises:

    • means for retrieving the configuration parameter HOC value,
    • means for retrieving network selection information applicable for both mobile and fixed-wireless home operators including the user and operator preferred PLMNs lists and the user and operator preferred WSID(s) lists,
    • means for retrieving said fixed-wireless network selection information,
    • means for performing:
    • a PLMN selection if the network configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter

or

    • a fixed-wireless network selection, if the network configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

Preferably, the network selection is controlled by the HPLMN.

Advantageously, the invention enables a handset manufacturer to sell the same handset to both mobile operators and fixed-wireless operators. In addition the invention enables a user to keep the same handset while changing its subscription between mobile and fixed-wireless home operators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

The forgoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended figures illustrating a exemplary embodiment of the invention in which:

FIG. 1, discussed above, schematically illustrates the User Equipment classification,

FIG. 2A, discussed above, schematically illustrate the expected proposed behavior of dual mobile/fixed-wireless User Equipments for mobile home operator's subscriber during Network selection,

FIG. 2B, discussed above, schematically illustrate the expected proposed behavior of dual mobile/fixed-wireless User Equipments for fixed-wireless home operator's subscriber during Network selection,

FIG. 3, schematically represents the configuration steps of a generic UE for performing a network selection method of the invention,

FIG. 4, schematically illustrates an example of initial network selection by a UE configured according to the invention,

FIGS. 5A and 5B, schematically illustrate particular embodiments of network selection by a UE configured according to the invention.

 DESCRIPTION OF A DETAILED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described by reference to FIGS. 3 to 4, 5A and 5B, illustrating an implementation of the invention in a system comprising at least a mobile network, at least a fixed-wireless network, a dual user equipment (UE) having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability, and means for controlling the network selection when said (UE) is conducting an initial network selection out of the radio coverage of its HPLMN.

The system comprises means for defining a configuration parameter HOC for indicating whether the home operator of the UE is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator, means for setting said configuration parameter HOC in the UE to allow said UE to select a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value at initial network selection.

Said means consist of software applications implemented in the HPLMN and in the UE and controlled by said Home operator to configure the UE for implementing the method according to the invention.

The software applications comprise instructions for, when executed in the UE, storing in said UE network selection information applicable for both mobile home operator and fixed-wireless home operator, and instructions for, when executed in the UE, setting a preferred default network access mechanism in the UE according to the value of the configuration parameter HOC.

The software applications allow said UE to retrieve the configuration parameter HOC value, the network selection information applicable for both mobile and fixed-wireless home operators including the user and operator preferred PLMNs lists and the user and operator preferred WSID(s) lists, and the fixed-wireless network selection information for the fixed-wireless HOC case, for allowing the UE to perform:

a PLMN selection if the network configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter

or

a fixed-wireless network selection, if the network configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration phase 38 of a UE 6, such as a mobile phone or a laptop, having both mobile and fixed-wireless network access capabilities.

This phase aims at enabling the UE 6 to perform either a 3GPP network selection or a non-3GPP network selection based on the configuration information stored by the Home operator in the USIM or in a NVM of the UE.

The configuration information comprise the home operator class information (HOC), the network selection information (User preferred PLMNs List, Operator preferred PLMNs List, User preferred WSIDs List, Operator preferred WSIDs List) and the fixed-wireless network selection information (H-WSID(s), preferred roaming access mechanism, preferred mobile network indicator). The UE 6 is provided with a software application that will be parameterized with the configuration information downloaded from the USIM or from the NVM in order to automatically carry out the network selection according to the downloaded data.

The UE 6 can be factory configured or dynamically provisioned with said information.

At step 40, at initial network selection (when the UE 6 is turned on or after a handover procedure), the UE 6 automatically retrieves the information stored by the home operator in its memory or in the NVM.

At step 42, the UE 6 retrieves the HOC parameter (Home Operator Class). At step 44, the UE 6 analyses said HOC.

If the HOC value corresponds to a Mobile Network, at step 46, the UE 6 parameterizes the software application with said HOC value.

At step 48, the software application set default network selection parameters for a Mobile Home Operator as follows:

    • Default network:=HPLMN
    • Set default access:=mobile networks.

If the HOC value corresponds to a fixed-wireless Network, at step 50, the UE 6 parameterizes the software application with said HOC value. The software application then retrieves the stored fixed-wireless Network Home Operator specific information:

    • H-WSID(s)
    • preferred Mobile Network indicator
    • preferred roaming access mechanism
    • [HPLMN]

At step 52, the software application set default network selection parameters for a fixed-wireless Network Home Operator as follows:

    • Default network:=H-WSID(s)
    • Set default access:=fixed-wireless networks.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of initial network selection phase performed by the UE after the configuration phase 38 when the UE 6 is turned on out of the HPLMN coverage area.

At step 60, the software application analyses the HOC value.

If the HOC corresponds to a Mobile Network (arrow 62), the software application executes a PLMN selection 64 in which Default network (HPLMN) is given a highest priority over user/operator preferred PLMNs.

If the HOC value corresponds to a fixed-wireless Network, the software application executes a fixed-wireless selection 66 in which default network H-WSID(s) is selected.

If the PLMN selection 64 fails, the software application executes a alternative fixed-wireless network selection 68 using only the user/operator WSIDs as selection parameter.

If the fixed-wireless selection 66 fails, at step 70, the software application checks the preferred roaming access mechanism parameter configured in the UE.

If the roaming access mechanism corresponds to mobile network (arrow 72), the software application executes a PLMN selection (step 74), and if this PLMN selection fails, the software application executes a fixed-wireless selection (step 76) using only the user/operator WSIDs as selection parameter.

If the roaming access mechanism corresponds to fixed-wireless network (arrow 78), the software application executes a fixed-wireless selection (step 80), and if this fixed-wireless selection fails, the software application executes a PLMN selection (step 82).

FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically illustrates particular embodiments of the PLMN selection (step 74 and 82) when initiated by a UE configured according to the invention as part of the alternative network selection when a fixed-wireless home operator access point cannot be selected at initial network selection.

In FIG. 5A wherein the preferred mobile network indicator information indicates that the fixed-wireless home operator has a preferred mobile network roaming partner, when the UE 6 is out of coverage of a Fixed-Wireless Home operator 90, and if mobile network access mechanism is used for the alternative network selection, the software application initiates the PLMN selection as currently defined in 3GPP specifications, assuming that the Preferred Mobile Operator 92 is set in the USIM as the HPLMN.

The UE 6 will select the HPLMN as highest priority, and if HPLMN is not available the UE will select a mobile network among a list of preferred mobile network roaming partners 94 of the mobile network Home Operator HPLMN 92.

In FIG. 5B, wherein the preferred mobile network indicator information indicates that the fixed-wireless home operator has no preferred mobile network roaming partner, when the UE 6 is out of coverage of a Fixed-Wireless Home operator 90, and if mobile network access mechanism is used for the alternative network selection, the software application initiates the PLMN selection without HPLMN.

The UE 6 will select a mobile network among a list of preferred mobile network roaming partners 96 of the Fixed-Wireless Home operator 90.

Following is a preferred implementation of the invention in a mobile terminal. The HOC is stored in Elementary Files (EF) as described hereafter:

EF-HOCLASS:

This EF contains the class identifier for the home operator.

Identifier: ‘xxxx’ Structure: Transparent Optional SFI: ‘xx’ File size: 1 byte Update activity: low Access Conditions: READ PIN UPDATE ADM DEACTIVATE ADM ACTIVATE ADM Bytes Description M/O Length 1 Home Operator Class M 1 byte (00: Mobile network 01: Fixed-Wireless network)

EF-H-WSID:

This EF contains the network identifiers of the fixed-wireless home operator.

Identifier: ‘xxxx’ Structure: Transparent Optional SFI: ‘xx’ File size: N byte Update activity: low Access Conditions: READ PIN UPDATE ADM DEACTIVATE ADM ACTIVATE ADM Bytes Description M/O Length 1 H-WSID-1 M 1 byte 2 H-WSID-2 M 1 byte . . . . . . M 1 byte N H-WSID-N M 1 byte

EF-PPLMNindicator:

This EF contains the preferred mobile network operator indicator. It is relevant when the EFHOCLASS indicates a fixed-wireless home operator.

Identifier: ‘xxxx’ Structure: Transparent Optional SFI: ‘xx’ File size: 1 byte Update activity: low Access Conditions: READ PIN UPDATE ADM DEACTIVATE ADM ACTIVATE ADM Bytes Description M/O Length 1 Preferred mobile network M 1 byte operator indicator (00:No 01:Yes)

If the PPLMNindicator is set to:

    • yes, the HPLMN information in the USIM does not contain a mobile network home operator, but rather contains the preferred mobile network of the fixed-wireless home operator.
    • no, the HPLMN information in the USIM is not relevant (not present) and the UE initiates a PLMN selection without HPLMN when using the mobile networks access mechanism.

EF-PRoamingAccess:

This EF contains the preferred roaming access mechanism. It is relevant when the EFHOCLASS indicates a fixed-wireless home operator.

Identifier: ‘xxxx’ Structure: Transparent Optional SFI: ‘xx’ File size: 1 byte Update activity: low Access Conditions: READ PIN UPDATE ADM DEACTIVATE ADM ACTIVATE ADM Bytes Description M/O Length 1 Preferred roaming M 1 byte access mechanism (00: mobile networks 01: fixed-wireless networks)

If the PRoamingAccess is set to:

    • mobile networks, the UE will consider mobile networks as higher priority than fixed-wireless networks during the alternative network selection, i.e. when out of fixed-wireless home operator coverage.

Fixed-wireless networks, the UE will consider fixed-wireless networks as higher priority than mobile networks during the alternative network selection, i.e. when out of fixed-wireless home operator coverage.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the network selection by the home operator of dual user equipment (6) having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability, said method comprising:

defining a configuration parameter HOC for indicating whether the home operator of the UE (6) is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator,
storing said configuration parameter HOC in the UE (6), and at initial network selection,
selecting a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value.

2. Method according to claim 1 comprising:

storing network selection information applicable for both mobile home operator and fixed-wireless home operator in the UE (6),
storing fixed-wireless network selection information applicable for fixed-wireless home operator case in the UE (6):
defining fixed-wireless network selection information applicable for fixed-wireless home operator, and storing said fixed-wireless network selection information in the UE (6),
setting a preferred default network access mechanism in the UE (6) according to the value of the configuration parameter HOC,
setting a preferred default network in the UE (6) according to the value of the configuration parameter HOC.

3. Method according to claim 2 wherein the default network access mechanism is set to mobile networks if the configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter, or to fixed-wireless networks if the configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

4. Method according to claim 2 wherein the preferred default network is set to the HPLMN if the configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter or to a list of H-WSID(s) if the configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

5. Method according to claim 2 wherein said network selection information comprise:

a user preferred PLMNs list,
an operator preferred PLMNs list,
a user preferred WSIDs list for identifying a list of user preferred fixed-wireless access points
an operator preferred WSIDs list for identifying a list of preferred access points owned by fixed-operator roaming partners of the home operator.

6. Method according to claim 2 wherein said fixed-wireless network selection information comprise:

a home operator access points list (H-WSIDs) for identifying the list of access points owned by the fixed-wireless home operator.

7. Method according to claim 2 wherein said fixed-wireless network selection information further comprise a preferred roaming access indicator, indicating whether the UE should prioritize the mobile network access or the fixed-wireless network access at alternative network selection after a default network selection where no network can be selected.

8. Method according to claim 2 wherein said fixed-wireless network selection information further comprise a preferred mobile network indicator indicating whether the fixed-wireless network operator has a preferred mobile network operator or not.

9. Method according to claim 1 further comprising:

retrieving the configuration parameter HOC value and network selection information applicable for both mobile and fixed-wireless home operators including the user and operator preferred PLMNs lists and the user and operator preferred WSID(s) lists, and retrieving the fixed-wireless network selection information if the HOC value indicates a fixed-wireless home operator, and, at initial network selection,
performing a PLMN selection if the network configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter
or
performing a fixed-wireless network selection, if the network configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

10. Method according to claim 9 wherein the UE (6) selects either the HPLMN if a PLMN selection is performed or the home operator Access Points H-WSID(s) if a fixed-wireless network selection is performed.

11. Method according to claim 10 wherein if no network can be selected using the initial network selection, the UE (6) proceeds with an alternative network selection as follows:

If PLMN initial network selection failed, a fixed-wireless network selection is performed during which the UE (6) only selects user or operator preferred access points WSID(s), and,
If fixed-wireless initial network selection failed: a PLMN selection is performed if the default network access mechanism is set to fixed wireless networks and if the preferred roaming access mechanism is set to a mobile network access mechanism, and if said PLMN selection fails, a fixed-wireless network selection is then performed during which the UE (6) only selects user or operator preferred access points WSID(s), a fixed-wireless network selection is performed if the default network access mechanism is set to ‘fixed wireless networks’ and the preferred roaming access mechanism is ‘fixed-wireless networks’, and if said fixed-wireless network selection fails, a PLMN selection is then performed during which the UE (6) only selects user or operator preferred access points WSID(s).

12. Method according to claim 1 wherein, if an alternative network selection for fixed-wireless network home operator is chosen, said alternative network selection is:

a legacy PLMN selection with HPLMN as highest priority PLMN when the preferred mobile network indicator information indicates that the fixed-wireless home operator has a commercial agreement with said HPLMN as a preferred mobile network operator
or
a PLMN selection procedure without the HPLMN when the preferred mobile network indicator information indicates that the fixed-wireless home operator has direct commercial agreements with a plurality of mobile networks.

13. Method According to claim 1 wherein, the access points owned by the fixed-wireless home operator are stored in a separate list (H-WSID(s)) than the access points owned by other fixed-wireless networks enabling thereby the selection of home operator's Access Points may be initiated separately from the selection of fixed-wireless roaming partners's Access Points.

14. Method according to claim 13 wherein the home operator class HOC and fixed-wireless network selection information (H-WSID(s), preferred roaming access mechanism, preferred mobile network indicator) is set by the home operator and can be factory configured or dynamically provisioned, whether in the USIM of said UE (6) or in a NVM of said UE (6).

15. Method according to claim 14 wherein said home operator class HOC and fixed-wireless network selection information is updatable by the home operator after the UE (6) power-on using over the air mechanism such as OMA DM, SMS, or US SD.

16. A user Equipment (6) having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability, said user Equipment comprising:

an analyzing unit that analyzes a configuration parameter HOC indicating whether the home operator of the UE (6) is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator,
a storing unit that stores said configuration parameter HOC, and
a selecting unit that selects a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value at initial network selection.

17. User Equipment (6) according to claim 16 further comprising: or

a first retrieving unit that retrieves the configuration parameter HOC value,
a second retrieving unit that retrieves network selection information applicable for both mobile and fixed-wireless home operators including the user and operator preferred PLMNs lists and the user and operator preferred WSID(s) lists,
a third retrieving unit that retrieves fixed-wireless network selection information applicable for fixed-wireless home operator
a performing unit that performs:
a PLMN selection if the network configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter
a fixed-wireless network selection, if the network configuration parameter HOC is a fixed-wireless configuration parameter.

18. User Equipment (6) according to claim 17 wherein said second retrieving unit comprises:

a user preferred PLMNs list,
an operator preferred PLMNs list,
a user preferred WSIDs list,
an operator preferred WSIDs list.

19. User Equipment (6) according to claim 17 wherein said third retrieving unit comprises:

a home operator access points list (H-WSIDs),
a preferred roaming access mechanism,
a preferred mobile network indicator.

20. System for controlling the network selection by a user equipment (6) having mobile network access capability and fixed-wireless network access capability, said system comprising the home operator of the UE (6) being whether a mobile network HPLMN or a fixed-wireless network HWSID, at least a mobile network roaming partner PLMN, and at least a fixed-wireless network roaming partner WSID, said system comprising:

an unit that defines a configuration parameter HOC for indicating whether the home operator of the UE (6) is a mobile operator or a fixed-wireless operator,
an unit that sets said configuration parameter HOC in the UE (6) to allow said UE to select a network based on said configuration parameter HOC value at initial network selection.

21. System according to claim 20 wherein said units consist of software applications controlled by the Home operator and adapted for configuring the UE (6) for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

22. System according to claim 21 wherein said software applications comprise instructions executable in the UE (6) for storing in said UE (6) network selection information applicable for both mobile home operator and fixed-wireless home operator, fixed-wireless network selection information applicable for fixed-wireless home operator and instructions for setting a preferred default network access mechanism and preferred default network in the UE (6) according to the value of the configuration parameter HOC.

23. System according to claim 22 wherein said software applications allow said UE (6) to retrieve the configuration parameter HOC value and the selection information applicable for both mobile and fixed-wireless home operators including the user and operator preferred PLMNs lists and the user and operator preferred WSID(s) lists, and the fixed-wireless network selection information for allowing the UE (6) to perform: or HOC is a fixed-wireless home parameter.

a PLMN selection if the network configuration parameter HOC is a mobile network configuration parameter
a fixed-wireless network selection, if the network configuration parameter,

24. System according to claim 22 wherein the network selection is controlled by the Home operator.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110058541
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2011
Applicant: NEC CORPORATION (Tokyo)
Inventors: Ah Chuen Frederic Fok (Boulogne Billancourt), Vincent Roger (Puteaux)
Application Number: 12/991,087
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Contiguous Regions Interconnected By A Local Area Network (370/338)
International Classification: H04W 84/02 (20090101);